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Philly Cheesesteaks And The Nation (2nd Thoughts)
County Press ^ | William W. Lawrence

Posted on 06/24/2006 6:01:02 AM PDT by Tribune7

Gastronomes the world over will be forever in debt to Pat Olivieri, who invented the Philadelphia Cheesesteak in 1930.

It is probably the best invention in the history of mankind.

Nearly every Philadelphian has certainly heard of and probably has eaten one of Pat's cheesesteaks at 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. That location is ground zero for cheesesteaks.

His big competition comes from Geno's, which is owned by Joey Vento and is located diagonally across the street. Both are open 24/7.

Pat's, most recently, got national coverage when John Kerry --- who served in Vietnam by the way--made a campaign visit to South Philly and ordered a cheesesteak with Swiss cheese. (An urban legend going around has him asking for brie and Chardonnay).

(Excerpt) Read more at zwire.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; US: Pennsylvania
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To: JHBowden

Where are you getting your info?
I didn't see anything in the article about ordering in PERFECT English.
He is just saying his employees aren't fluent in Spanish.
Tell me something...Do YOU take phone calls from people who speak to you in languages you do not understand?


21 posted on 06/24/2006 7:14:48 AM PDT by found_one
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To: JHBowden
People on my side don't want to hear this, but Joey Vento *is* acting worse than the French. Imagine if you visited another country and were refused service because you didn't speak the language 100% correctly. That's what Vento is doing. I understand why Joey Vento is upset about illegal immigration. I agree with him. He also has the right to do whatever he wants with his business. That being said, the man's an ass.

I'm not sure what "your side" is.

You know how to take cheesesteak orders in how many languages? Pashtun? Uzbek? You should head to a small roadside food stand in Turkmenistan and try telling them in english you want your lamb balls without onion.

They send Americans to the back of the line if they don't order correctly. With lines running down the block they don't have time for fooling around, but you want them to take five minutes to figure out what the heck someone who doesn't speak english is asking for?

At least you got one thing right; it is his business and he's got a right to do what he wants.

22 posted on 06/24/2006 7:18:48 AM PDT by RinAZ2005
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To: Crawdad
All a Spanish speaking person needs to learn to order at Pat's are 6 English words "One Cheesesteak all the way and one Coke."

Plus, learn the peculiar subculture of ordering: Say the minimum amount of code words, shut up and move it along with your money in hand.

A visiting English professor would get yelled at.

We finished the day with lunch at Pat’s Steaks. I had been rehearsing my order for weeks (“provolone without”) so I wouldn’t get yelled at. When my turn came, I delivered my line and managed to do a passable impersonation of a “regular” After all, I enjoy being treated like cattle. It’s all those years of riding SEPTA, I guess.

23 posted on 06/24/2006 7:24:21 AM PDT by Polybius
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To: JHBowden
Acting like the French is disgraceful.

Yes it is and you should stop doing so immediately!!

24 posted on 06/24/2006 7:33:57 AM PDT by RinAZ2005
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To: Polybius
"Say the minimum amount of code words, shut up and move it along with your money in hand."


25 posted on 06/24/2006 7:35:34 AM PDT by canuck_conservative
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To: JHBowden

Is it really that difficult to learn the words, "Provolone wit', one Coke"?


26 posted on 06/24/2006 7:35:52 AM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: Polybius

Great post!


27 posted on 06/24/2006 7:35:52 AM PDT by Temple Owl (Excelsior! Onward and upward.)
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To: JHBowden

I heard him on Glenn Beck. He does not refuse service to illegal immigrants. He wants them to, and will help them order, in English - or Philly English such as it is.


28 posted on 06/24/2006 7:40:35 AM PDT by merry10
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To: NittanyLion
Is it really that difficult to learn the words, "Provolone wit'....

Could you translate that into English, please. ;-)

29 posted on 06/24/2006 7:54:15 AM PDT by Polybius
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To: aumrl
LOOKIN AT YOUR tag line - I'd say u were a little below the belt yourself !

Yeah, if his side (Giuliani) is pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion and anti-gun, he definitely doesn't speak for my side.

30 posted on 06/24/2006 7:55:34 AM PDT by RinAZ2005
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To: Tribune7

I had my first, authentic Philly cheesesteak while in college. Imagine my surprise to discover that it contains neither cheese (Cheez Whiz) nor steak (Steakum). Didn't care for it. Every region has its favorite that only a native can truly love, I guess.


31 posted on 06/24/2006 8:55:07 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: RipSawyer
It's a philly thang anyway.

Harkens back to Good'ol'Mayor Rizzo who baited the lilly livered liberal press by announcing he'll be holding a press conference to say he's come out against the electric chair.

So the whores, I mean, presstitutes, I mean, press had a field day.

Only to be red faced Reds on the day of the press conference because Frank Rizzo said he was now in favor of the electric bench so he could rid our society of scumbags in groups!

32 posted on 06/24/2006 9:44:07 AM PDT by norraad ("What light!">Blues Brothers)
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To: RegulatorCountry
I had my first, authentic Philly cheesesteak while in college. Imagine my surprise to discover that it contains neither cheese (Cheez Whiz) nor steak (Steakum). Didn't care for it.

I guess not...somebody did you wrong.

The best cheesesteaks are made with provolone.


33 posted on 06/24/2006 9:50:46 AM PDT by Oberon (As a matter of fact I DO want fries with that.)
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To: Polybius
Could you translate that into English, please. ;-)

*grin*

The translation is, "I'll have one cheesesteak, kind sir, with provolone cheese and a serving of onions. In addition, I'd like one medium Coca Cola my friend."

34 posted on 06/24/2006 1:09:18 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: JHBowden
Imagine if you visited another country and were refused service because you didn't speak the language 100% correctly.

I think if the French just put up a sign people wouldn't be so ticked off at them.

35 posted on 06/24/2006 2:09:24 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: RinAZ2005
Imagine if you visited another country and were refused service because you didn't speak the language 100% correctly.

That's a great point. I think Washington should pass a law requiring all who do business with the general public be able to communicate in English. Seriously.

It's would be pretty rotten for a Chinese or Polish immigrant to have to learn two new languages.

36 posted on 06/24/2006 2:13:06 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Tribune7
My favorite is a tuna hoagie. Had one special ordered from a local steak and hoagie shop after my daughter was born.

A million calories without a doubt.
37 posted on 06/24/2006 2:17:05 PM PDT by wintertime (Good ideas win! Why? Because people are not stupid.)
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To: wintertime

I like Italian with sweet peppers.


38 posted on 06/24/2006 2:19:31 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Tribune7
Here's the joke from further down the site:

An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand pulling a male buffalo with the other. He says to the waiter, "Want coffee." The waiter says, "Sure, Chief, coming right up." He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee. The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere, then just walks out. The next morning the Indian returns. He has his shotgun in one hand pulling another male buffalo with the other. He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter, "Want coffee." The waiter says, "Whoa, Tonto! We're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was that all about, anyway?" The Indian smiles and proudly says, "Training for position in United States Congress: Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, leave mess for others to clean up, disappear for the rest of the day

39 posted on 06/25/2006 7:20:11 PM PDT by yhwhsman ("Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small..." -Sir Winston Churchill)
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To: JHBowden
Imagine if you visited another country and were refused service because you didn't speak the language 100% correctly.

I wouldn't mind one bit. Because I would consider myself superior. That's the way I go through life. Try it. It's great for self-esteem, if you need a lift (I don't).

40 posted on 06/25/2006 7:26:19 PM PDT by ExtremeUnction
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